William west



(No Model.)

W. WEST.

APPARATUS FOR GONOENTRATING SULPHURIG AGID. No. 280,425.

Patented July 3, 1883.

N. ravens Pnmmr m m, Wazhington, n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM VEST, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HOMER PENNOOK, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOE QONCENTRATING SULPHURIC ACID.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,425, dated July 3, 1883.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \YILLIAM VVEsT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of 0010- rado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Concentrating Sulphuric Acid; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon and forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a new and IIUPIOXYGLI method of and apparatus for concentrating sulphuric acid, so as to much cheapen the production, and making the apparatus continuously working 'and more durable, and lessen ing the injurious effects on the operative, as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a front elevation, in section, showing the furnace, the kettle or retort, the tanks and receivers, the pipe-connections, and flue. Fig. 2 is a view in section of the enameled or porcelain-lined retort. Fig. 3 is a view in section of the enameled or porcelain-lined pipe and funnel. Fig. 4 is a top view of thekettle or retort, showing the flange A and outlet spout or pipe D.

A, Fig. 1, is a cast-iron kettle or retort enameled or lined inside with porcelain or other vitreous substance; It is made nearly round or oval, as shown. The retort has a cover, B, en'ameled'or lined inside, the same as theretort. The retort Ahasaflange around it, near the top, as shown at A. The cover B has a corresponding flange, so that the body and cover can be firmly secured together by bolts or other means.

. At one side of the retort, below or at the flange, is an outlet spout or pipe, D, also enameled or lined with porcelain.

In the top of the cover B is an opening, B. Around this opening the casting is raised up a short distance and a flange is made on it, as shown at B 0 is an enameled or porcelain-lined curved tube with a flange formed on it corresponding to the flange shown at B", to which it is bolted.

(No model.)

. The curved tube or pipe 0 is connected to a lead condenser of any convenient form.

In the cover B, near the flange, is an opening for the siphon-pipe H to enter the retort, as'shown at H.

E is an enameled or porcelain-lined pipe to convey the concentrated acid into the lead receiver or tank G.

F is an enameled or porcelain-lined funnel in the top of the lead receiver or tank G.

G is a receiver or tank constructed of lead and ofany size or shape required. Through and around the receiver or tank G a stream of cold water circulates to cool the lead of the acid-cooler. The concentrated acid can be siphoned off from the receiver or tank G through the. siphon or pipe L into other reeeivers or vessels, as shown.

H is a siphon-pipe made of lead to convey the acid from the lead pan I to the retort A.

I is a pan made of lead, and is in the usual form used in all acid-works.

J is a furnace constructed of the usual brick or fire-proof materials, and with a fire-box, grate-bars, and ash-pit.

In the top of the fire-box is an arched fireproof wall, J This wall protects the bottom of the retort, and also causes the flame and heat'to circulate around the retort. It then passes into the flue K and under the pan I, heating both the retort and pan with one fire.

The retort A is held in position by the flanges A, resting on the top or in the furnacewalls, as shown. The spout or pipe D, at one side of the kettle or retort, extends out four inches (more or less) beyond the flange. The pipe E is fitted on the pipe or spout D and extends beyond the brick wall to and directly over the funnel-F, as shown.

The operation is as follows: The sulphuric acid having been collected in the usual manner is run into the lead pan I, the strength of the acid as collected being from 48 to 50 Baum. The fire having been ignited in the furnace .I, the heat passes up and around the 5 kettle or retort A, and through the flue K under the lead pan I. By this heat the strength of the acid in the pan I is brought up to and maintained at auniform strength of 60 Baum. It is then run into the kettle or retort A through the lead siphon H, where it falls upon the acid in the retort, and where it is concentrated to 66 Banlne. It then flows through the spout or pipe 1), and pipe E and funnel F, and into the tank or receiver G. The quantity of acid run into the retort is regulated by the capacity of the siphon and the intensity of the heat or fire used. The operation is a continuous one. The fire is maintained until the kettle or retort is destroyed.

\Vhen acid is not required, pure cast-iron kettles or retorts and pipes can be used without being enameled or )orcelain-lined.

I am aware that a number of different plans have been used for concentrating sulphuric acid, such as boiling in pans and allowing them to cool, and siphoning off into glass globes set in sand in iron kettles, with a iire under each, and boil up to 66 Baume, then allow them to cool and siphon them the next morning, and proceed again in the same manner; also that a continuous process using glass globes has been used; but both are equally objectionable on account of waste of fuel, labor, breakage, and waste of acid, which is equal to seventy-five per cent. I am also aware that platinum stills have been used; but their great expense and liability to accidents make them. impracticable for general use; and I am also aware that it is not new to use iron kettles enameled on the inside for the purpose of concentrating sulphuric acid, and such I do not broadly claim; but,

Having fully described my invention, what l desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent 1s I 1. The combination of the kettle or retort A, having flange A and spent or pipe I), cover B, having central flanged opening, B, and opening H, curved pipe 0, and pipe E, funnel F, and receiver G, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the kettle or retort A, pan I, siphon H, pipe E, funnel F, inclosed receiver G, and siphon L, sulistantialty as and for the purpose set forth.

In an apparatus for concentrating sul phuric acid from 60 to (36 Baum, and for the continuous working thereof, the combination of the following elements: the enameled or porcelain-lined kettle or retort A, furnace J, i'lue K, pan 1, siphon H, curved pipe (l, pipe E, funnel. F, receiver G, andthepipe or siphon L, all arranged substantially as shown and. de scribed.

\VTLLIAM \VEST.

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